Chris Ocowun
6 November 2009
Kampala — THE AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) has launched a sh4b three year door-to-door HIV/AIDS and malaria campaign in Apac district. The programme aims at strengthening the healthcare system to assist those living with HIV.
A survey done in Apac shows the district has the highest incidence of malaria and HIV/AIDS in the region. Fifty-six TASO counsellors have been posted to various parts of the district to start the tests.
"Those who test HIV-positive will be referred to the health centres to access anti-retrovirals. Those who are HIV-negative will be educated on how to avoid getting infected with HIV," said the TASO public relations assistant, Sam Emukok.
He added: "We have put in place monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of the project in the prevention of HIV/AIDS. We hope by the end of the project, we will have tested everyone in Apac for HIV."
The project, which is funded by the Centres for Disease Control, will also include health education, distribution of condoms and counselling and sensitisation through media and local leaders.
The Chief Administrative Officer, Andrew Leru, praised TASO for mitigating the spread of HIV/AIDS.
He challenged the public to change their attitude to HIV/AIDS because the disease is still shattering people's lives.
Leru pledged to mobilise residents to test for HIV and get treatment.
The regional manager, TASO Northern Region, Henry Muzoora, said the 20-year war in the north destroyed the health systems in the region.
Muzoora called upon the local leaders to partner with TASO to assess the capacity of health institutions in managing the referrals that will be made to them after positive screening for HIV and malaria from residents.
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